The CCIE written exam is a two-hour qualification exam, taken at a Cisco authorized Pearson VUE testing center. The exam uses a combination of multiple choice questions and simulations to assess the skills listed under Exam Topics. Exams are closed book and no reference materials are allowed.

I expect more ‘typical’ Cisco questions, however my instinct is that this will be more ‘up my alley’ and hopefully I won’t find the questions as awkward. Heres hoping!

More info..

Written Exam Topics (Blueprint) v4.0

The Routing and Switching written exam (#350-001) has 100 multiple-choice questions and is two hours in duration. The topic areas listed are general guidelines for the type of content that is likely to appear on the exam. Please note, however, that other relevant or related topic areas may also appear.

Cisco provides a flexible and integrated learning program using instructor-led and self-paced training, hands-on exercises, assessments, and practice exams to build the expert skills required for CCIE certification. The Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE R&S is available from specially trained and authorized learning partners. Other individual Cisco training courses can fill in gaps in a candidate’s experience or knowledge.

Prerequisites

There are no formal prerequisites for CCIE certification. Other professional certifications or training courses are not required. Instead, candidates must first pass a written qualification exam and then the corresponding hands-on lab exam. You are expected to have an in-depth understanding of the topics in the exam blueprints and strongly encouraged to have three to five years of job experience before attempting certification.

Step One: CCIE Routing and Switching Written Exam

You must pass the two-hour, written qualification exam, which covers networking concepts and some equipment commands before you are eligible to schedule the lab exam.

Step Two: CCIE Routing and Switching Lab Exam

The eight-hour lab exam tests your ability to configure actual equipment and troubleshoot the network in a timed test situation. You must make an initial attempt of the CCIE lab exam within 18-months of passing the CCIE written exam. If you do not pass the lab exam within three years of passing the written exam, you must retake the written exam before being allowed to attempt the lab exam again.